January 2002 Abstract of the Month
In November, Center Scientist Amna Buttar, MD, presented “Developing an Interdisciplinary Team Model for Geriatric Medicine in South
India" and "Evaluation of Psychogeriatric Services for Older Adults with Dementia in an Urban Community in South India." at the 54th Annual
Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America.
DEVELOPING AN INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM MODEL FOR GERIATRIC MEDICINE IN SOUTH INDIA; A Buttar, D Rosenblatt, S K Sunil; Indiana
University Center for Aging Research, University of Michigan, and Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research. The Gerontologist;
October 2001; 41; Special Issue I; 57.
Older adults are a rapidly growing segment of population in India. However, geriatric medicine is still at infancy level, and to our
knowledge no model for interdisciplinary team approach towards provision of health care for adults is available in India. The value of
interdisciplinary team is well documented in the western world. This paper will describe a geriatric medicine program utilizing an
interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, social worker, and physical therapist in a tertiary care hospital in South India. The program was
started in 12/00, and has been successfully implemented. Age range for patients is 67 – 96 years (Male 80%). Geriatrics syndromes
identified were: gait and mobility, malnutrition, pressure sores, depression, dementia, urinary incontinence, and delirium. The functional
and social problems identified were similar to those encountered by geriatrics team in the USA. This demonstrates the need for incorporating
interdisciplinary team approach in geriatric medicine programs in India.
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